In a humorous twist on artificial intelligence discourse, Microsoft researcher Adrian de Wynter has drawn an unexpected parallel between goats and large language models (LLMs) in his recent paper, “If LLMs Have Human-Like Attributes, Then So Does Age of Empires II.” This exploration, which began earlier this year, aims to challenge the validity of claims regarding the sentience of LLMs.

Who, What, When, Where, Why

• Who: Adrian de Wynter, a researcher at Microsoft.
• What: A paper arguing against the anthropomorphic attributions of LLMs using goats in the game Age of Empires II.
• When: Earlier this year.
• Where: Microsoft and the realm of academic research.
• Why: To highlight the lack of reliable methods for evaluating claims of LLM sentience.

De Wynter’s paper cleverly uses the game’s goats to illustrate a point about the nature of LLMs and their perceived qualities. By employing goats as components in basic logic gates, he constructs a one-bit perceptron, suggesting that any sufficiently powerful substrate—be it a complex codebase or a virtual goat—could implement an entity akin to an LLM.

The crux of de Wynter’s argument lies in two significant observations regarding the evaluation of LLMs:

• Substrate Influence: The substrate from which an LLM is built affects its perceived properties. For instance, if an LLM were constructed using goats in Age of Empires II, its anthropomorphic attributes would likely be perceived differently than if it were built on conventional technology.
• Assumptions in Research: Starting with preconceived notions—whether that an LLM possesses or lacks certain human-like qualities—can skew research outcomes. The paper emphasizes the importance of objective evaluation in a field rife with subjective interpretations.

De Wynter’s playful yet insightful approach serves as a reminder of the absurdity surrounding discussions of AI sentience. He argues that the way we perceive LLMs is heavily influenced by the context in which they operate. For example, if ChatGPT were implemented within a game like Age of Empires II, the anthropomorphic qualities ascribed to it would be less convincing than those attributed to it in a traditional interface.

Ultimately, de Wynter’s work encourages a reevaluation of how we approach the concept of sentience in AI. As we continue to engage with LLMs, it’s essential to remember that the responses we receive may not stem from a place of understanding but rather from the expectations we impose upon them.

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